Trunk-fastener



(No Model.)

W. B. GOULTER. TRUNK FASTENER.

Patented Jan. 27, 1885.

w d 4 a y N n 0 r 7 An NITED STATES ATENT rrrcn.

"WILLIAM B. COULTER, OF BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT.

TRUNK-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 311,232, dated .Tanuary 27,1885.

Application filed August 16, 1884. (No model.)

To a7Z whom it nuty concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. COULTER, of Bristol, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trunk-Locks; and .I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to makeaud use thesame. My invention relates to an improvement in trunk and box fasteners, the object being to provide a lock or catch which shall be composed of few parts, simple and economical in their construction, thereby lessening the liability to get out of order, and one WhlOllShELll be durable and efficient in use; and with these ends in View my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described,

and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view of my improvement in its locked adjustment. Fig. 2 is a view of the same in its unlocked adj ustment, showing the springin its raised position. Fig. 3 is a detached view of the several parts. Fig. 4. is a view in longitudinal section of the plate A with the plate 0 removed, and Fig. 5 is a similar view with the plate 0 in position.

A represents aplate, preferably made of malleable cast metal, and provided on opposite sides of its longitudinal center with the outwardly-projecting ribs or side walls, I), which latter form the sides of the bolt-housing. These ribs are connected at the top by the bridge or loop f, formed integral with the ribs, and at the bottom by the inclined rib or wall a 0, formed integral with the plate and ribs. The portion 0 of the wall preferably extends outwardly in an upwardly-inclined position, while the portion 0, which commences at the outer edge of the ribs 6, rests at right angles to the plate A, as shown in Fig. 4, and is adapted to be bent down over one end of the cap, as shown in Fig. 5, and assist in securing the cap in position. The ribs 1) are each provided with shoulders d, against which one end of the cap C abuts, and with the recesses e, in which the bent ends of the spring-catch'B are journaled. This catch B is preferably made of spring-wire, bent as shown, and when the parts are in their normal positionthe bent end a thereof projects sufficiently into the housing to prevent the bolt i from being withdrawn. The spring-catch B is held in position Within the recesses c by the cap C, which latter is provided at its upper end with a short tongue, b", adapted to take under the bridge f, while the lower end thereofis also provided with a tongue, b, over which the portion a of the lower wall of the bolt-housing laps. The upper portion of the cap is sufficiently wide to project beyond the ribs 1) and rest over the portions (f of the spring-catch B, while the lower end thereofis considerably decreased in width for the purpose of permitting the springcatch B to be turned up to a horizontal p0sition. As the spring-catch is turned upwardly the portions (0 thereof come in contact with the inclined side edges of the cap, and by continuing this upward movement the free or bent ends a theredf are forced away from each other, leaving the passage within the housing clear for the free movement of the bolt. The plate A is also provided with the ribs a, within or between which the curved portion of the spring-catch B rests when the latter is in its lowered or locked position.

To the trunk-lid is secured thehasp D,made in an y desirable shape,and having at its lower end a bolt, 1, in the form of an arrow-head. WVhen the trunk-lid is lowered, the bolt 2' en ters the housing, and having its end beveled forces the inwardly-bent ends of the spring B outwardly until the shoulders pass said ends, whereupon the latter will spring toward each other and prevent the hasp from being withdrawn. By simply raising the spring B the ends thereof will be forced apart, as before described, and allow the hasp to be withdrawn and the trunk-lid opened.

My invention is exceedingly simple in construction, is of few parts, and can be applied to any trunk, box, or other receptacle at a small initial cost.

Having fully described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with a plate having a raised housing, the side edges of the cap of ICC) which latter rest within the housing and en gage the hasp, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination,with a plate having ribs or walls integral therewith, forming the side 5 walls and end wall of the hasp-housing, and a cap forming the cover of said housing, having inclined side edges and secured in place as shown,ofa spring having bent ends,whieh latter rest within said housing, and a hasp, sub- 10 stantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with aplate having ribs 1), of a spring having its ends bent inwardly and resting within recesses formed in said ribs, a cap having its side edges inclined and secured I 5 on said ribs, and a hasp, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination,with a plate having ribs b and wall 0 o, a bridge, f, and a cap resting on said ribs and held in place by the portion 0 of the wall and the bridge, as described, of the 20 spring,the ends of which pass through the ribs, anda hasp, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the plate A,fornied with the ribs 1) b and wall a c, said ribs having the recessese e, of the spring B,plate G, and hasp 25 

